Keage Incline
Keage Incline
4.2
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: City Center
No district of Kyoto is quite as representative of its blended nature as the City Center. By day, the covered shopping arcades along Kawaramachi and Shijo Street bring deal hunters and fashionistas out in droves to peruse the clothing, accessories, gifts, and home goods offerings. When it grows dark, the City Center is a hip spot for nightlife, alive with bars and clubs. A trendy culinary scene and an abundance of local watering holes give the Center its youthful vibrancy. In contrast, the quieter areas of the City Center seem a world away, shielded from noise by the foliage of the public gardens and zen spaces surrounding the area's shrines, castles, and the Imperial Palace. These ancient and sacred spots are seamlessly folded into the scenery, providing a respite from the energy of the city, but close enough to put you directly back onto the pulse of the city when you're ready.
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10,000 within 3 miles
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2,104 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.2
204 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
107
Average
20
Poor
3
Terrible
0
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carloscharmy
Bangkok, Thailand779 contributions
Mar 2023
Keage Incline is a must-visit spot in Kyoto during spring! The cherry blossoms lining the old railway track create a mesmerizing tunnel of pink petals. The picturesque scenery and historic charm make it a perfect stop for photographers and nature lovers alike. A truly enchanting experience that shouldn't be missed!
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ksuzuki1204
Tokyo, Japan615 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
This is the remains of a railway line that was built to carry ships used in the Lake Biwa Canal over a difference in elevation. It is downhill from Keage subway station. From the direction of the Canal Memorial Museum, it is uphill. I walked from the direction of the memorial museum, but it was quite a steep climb. I saw many tourists wearing kimonos, probably to take Instagrammable photos. Looking back, you can see the city.
Written March 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison K
Milford, PA2,955 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Walked down Keage incline to check out the cherry blossoms. It was the middle of the day in April so probably peak time. There were a lot of people in the beginning but it lessens the farther you walk. The tracks are a bit hard to walk on, even in sneakers. The blossoms were very beautiful here.
Written August 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,762 contributions
Apr 2019
The now defunct railway track and canal system are quite pretty when the blossoms are at peak. But, beware, it can be very crowded and in our opinion it becomes boring a while after you begin the long walk up or down the tracks.
If you are walking down, be aware that there are a few places where you can exit the system, but if you go too far down on the tracks you are stuck and can’t leave until you get the bottom. Part way down, and one of the more interesting features, is the old canal boat in its cradle which was used to haul the boat back up to the top. English signage explains the function of the canal and the boats.
The sakura while pretty are not nearly as photogenic as they are up against temple walls or along ponds with bridges. People watching is interesting but it does have its limits.
The bridal shoot we saw at the bottom, however, did provide for some interesting photos both from the bridge and from the tracks.
More interesting is the area at the top of the tracks: you can wander around the park and walk near the water system for the aqueduct. The top also features a very small shrine and several boutique stores. There is a fine view overlooking the city from here if the weather is clear.
If your time in Kyoto is limited, I would suggest giving this a pass.
If you are walking down, be aware that there are a few places where you can exit the system, but if you go too far down on the tracks you are stuck and can’t leave until you get the bottom. Part way down, and one of the more interesting features, is the old canal boat in its cradle which was used to haul the boat back up to the top. English signage explains the function of the canal and the boats.
The sakura while pretty are not nearly as photogenic as they are up against temple walls or along ponds with bridges. People watching is interesting but it does have its limits.
The bridal shoot we saw at the bottom, however, did provide for some interesting photos both from the bridge and from the tracks.
More interesting is the area at the top of the tracks: you can wander around the park and walk near the water system for the aqueduct. The top also features a very small shrine and several boutique stores. There is a fine view overlooking the city from here if the weather is clear.
If your time in Kyoto is limited, I would suggest giving this a pass.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
待兼山
Osaka Prefecture, Japan46,625 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This is the remains of an inclined railway that was used to transport ships along the Lake Biwa Canal. All that remains is the rails, and you can walk along them. It is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.
Written May 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J&S_Singapore
Singapore, Singapore6,158 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We read that this is an interesting place to visit when one is in Kyoto. It is actually a trail that leads off from behind Nanzenji's brick aqueduct to the Keage Incline. Keage Incline was touted as one of the best sakura viewing spot in Kyoto, but it was off-season when we visited. Minus the cherry blooms but also minus the thongs of crowd!
We noted that the place is a defunct railway track and it's really near from Keage Station.
The Keage Incline was used until the 1950s to transport boats between Okazaki Canal and the canals at a higher elevation. Today, the gentle slope is lined by cherry trees. A real pity that we came off-spring so no pretty flowers to groom the area. For directions; from Keage Station Exit 1, keep right and walk more than 50 m down the gentle-slope street until you come to a small pedestrian tunnel on your right. Entered short tunnel and it is on the right after passing through. It is actually a walk up a small slope and you are now at the top of the Incline and enjoy the view! A good photographic stop/spot. And many completed their trip with a walk to nearby Philosopher's Path and Nanzenji Temple.
We noted that the place is a defunct railway track and it's really near from Keage Station.
The Keage Incline was used until the 1950s to transport boats between Okazaki Canal and the canals at a higher elevation. Today, the gentle slope is lined by cherry trees. A real pity that we came off-spring so no pretty flowers to groom the area. For directions; from Keage Station Exit 1, keep right and walk more than 50 m down the gentle-slope street until you come to a small pedestrian tunnel on your right. Entered short tunnel and it is on the right after passing through. It is actually a walk up a small slope and you are now at the top of the Incline and enjoy the view! A good photographic stop/spot. And many completed their trip with a walk to nearby Philosopher's Path and Nanzenji Temple.
Written June 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
junn d
United Arab Emirates74 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
I can say that this spot is one of the best Sakura viewing during April. It may be crowded during the season but it's really worth it going there. I think it's an unused railway with tons of cherry blossoms along the way and it's really near from Keage Station.
Directions: from Keage Station
1)Take exit 1
2) When coming out of the station onto the street, turn right and walk about 80 meters down the street until you come to a small pedestrian tunnel on your left
3) pass the tunnel (it is only about 10 meters long)
4) immediately after the tunnel, turn left and walk up a small slope for about 80 meters
5) you are now at the top of the Incline and enjoy the Sakura
Directions: from Keage Station
1)Take exit 1
2) When coming out of the station onto the street, turn right and walk about 80 meters down the street until you come to a small pedestrian tunnel on your left
3) pass the tunnel (it is only about 10 meters long)
4) immediately after the tunnel, turn left and walk up a small slope for about 80 meters
5) you are now at the top of the Incline and enjoy the Sakura
Written July 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
llydzzi
Singapore, Singapore189 contributions
Apr 2012 • Solo
It looks far from the map, but it is actually within walking distance from Okazaki Canal (next to Heian Jingu). Just walk along the Okazaki Canal towards Kaege. Otherwise, take the Tozai subway line and alight at Keage, Exit 1. Keage Incline is just above the subway exit.
I was here in April 2012 and the whole stretch of the incline is lined with cherry blssoms in full bloom. As the Incline is elevated from the street level, you can get really close to the sakura and take a close up shot of the cherry blossom. Very beautiful indeed.
Go very early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowd.
I was here in April 2012 and the whole stretch of the incline is lined with cherry blssoms in full bloom. As the Incline is elevated from the street level, you can get really close to the sakura and take a close up shot of the cherry blossom. Very beautiful indeed.
Go very early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowd.
Written May 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HotEarth
Melbourne, Australia675 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
It came as a surprise to me for how beautiful the cherry blossoms can transform a discarded rail track into! I'd walked and enjoyed the Philosophers Path cherry blossoms so much this morning that I didn't think that any other place in Kyoto could come close. I was dead wrong!!! Its a real beauty!
Written April 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrdom
8,630 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
I got there via the aqueduct from Nanzen-ji and was blown away by the rail/boat incline lined with cherry trees. You won't get great photos because of so many tourists but it makes for a good stroll. And go right to the top to see the continuation of the canal disappearing into the mountain.
Written April 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I do not think there is observation closing time.
However there is no light for incline. So, there are some risk.
I recommend to visit day time.
Written January 31, 2017
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